Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X Open-Back Studio Headphones Are Now Shipping Globally

The latest open-back headphones from beyerdynamic have begun shipping. The beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X are the most recent open-back design from the classic German audio brand and they are aimed at critical listeners as well as sound engineers who are editing or mixing.

Offering advanced levels of comfort with beyerdynamic’s trademark grey velour ear pads, the DT 990 PRO X have been tuned to deliver the sort of clarity that has already cemented the reputation of beyerdynamic headphones in recording and broadcast studios around the world.

Like other open-back headphones at this price point from beyerdynamic, the DT 990 PRO X use the company’s dynamic STELLAR.45 driver. However, this time they have been placed in an open-back housing that enables the soundwaves to emanate beyond the ear cup instead of being contained or trapped within.

Improved Sound For DT 990 PRO X

The new headphones have a detachable cable with a mini XLR connector at the ear cup end and a single-ended 3.5mm stereo jack plug at the other. The headphones come with a 6.3mm adaptor for a full-size headphone jack. Thanks to a lower 48Ω impedance rating, the DT 990 PRO X can deliver an improved performance when used with a wide range of host devices.

The original DT 990 PRO headphones have been a popular choice in recording studios ever since their launch in the 1980s. They sound garnered a reputation for detailed sound as well as an affordable price tag. The brand is also known for the comfort levels its headphones offer, making them a firm favorite in studios with endorsements from leading musicians and producers such as Flume, Martin Garrix and Metro Boomin.

Open-back headphones are not suitable for use by vocalists or musicians when recording because they allow sound to leak from the ear cups which can then get picked up by the sensitive condenser microphones used in recording studios with a risk of setting off a feedback loop. Instead, these are headphones for playback, mixing and mastering.

Clarity And Precision

For critical listening use like sound editing and mixing, open-back headphones like the DT 990 PRO X are much better for recreating a wide soundstage. In fact, beyerdynamic says the new DT 990 PRO X can be used to complement a pair of studio monitors because they offer the kind of clarity and precision that;s able to reveal the smallest details and nuances in a recording.

Designed specifically for home studio setups, the beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X have an impedance rating of 48Ω and that means they can pair well with a wide selection of playback devices, whether that be professional audio interfaces, studio desks or portable music players.

As already mentioned, these brand-new headphones are powered by beyerdynamic’s STELLAR.45 transducers. Engineered in Germany, these dynamic drivers have an exceptionally wide frequency response, starting at a growlingly low 5Hz and going as high as 40,000Hz, way beyond the threshold that many of us can hear. The headphones deliver a high-resolution signal but with low distortion levels and a full dynamic response.

Like nearly all of beyerdynamic’s headphones, the DT 990 PRO X feature the same grey velour ear cushions which are soft enough to wear even for long listening or mixing sessions. The headband is well padded and designed to alleviate excessive pressure from the fontanelle of a listener’s head. The headphones also feature user-serviceable components that can be easily replaced by the user to extend the working life of the headphones.

Pricing and Availability:

The beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X studio headphones are shipping now and priced at $199 / £199 / €269. They can be ordered from beyerdynamic.com and other retailers like Amazon. Each pair comes with a three-meter Mini-XLR to 3.5mm jack cable, plus a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter and a drawstring carry bag.

Tech Specs:

• Driver: STELLAR.45 dynamic.
• Operating principle: Open.
• Wearing style: circumaural.
• Frequency response: 5 – 40,000Hz.
• Nominal impedance: 48Ω.
• Weight: 292g (without cable).